ATASK Silk Road Gala features savory foods and live auction

The Silk Road Gala featured Ting Yen, chef and owner of Oishii (left), and Linda Chin, President of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (right). (Image courtesy of Brian Choi.)

By Joanne Wong

The Silk Road Gala gathered more than 500 guests for an evening of fundraising and delectable food prepared by Boston’s top chefs on Oct. 26 at the State Room.

Hosted by the Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence (ATASK), the Silk Road Gala is the organization’s annual signature event.

“Great chefs, glamorous guests and all for a grand cause,” said ATASK President Linda Chin of the event.

This year’s 19th annual gala featured cuisine prepared by local celebrity chefs Joanne Chang of Myers + Chang and Flour Bakery + Café; Jody Adams of Rialto in Cambridge; and Ting Yen of Oiishi, among others. Guests migrated from table to table to taste a variety of foods including sashimi, pumpkin soup, sake and truffles.

Broad Institute director Eric Lander and Harvard Law professor Jeannie Suk emceed the event. They also facilitated the live auction. ATASK brought in $250,000 from sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent auction, the live auction and more.

“I am extremely grateful for the ATASK staff,” said a domestic violence survivor and former ATASK client, who spoke candidly about her experience and the positive impact that the organization has had on her life. In addition to the moral support offered by ATASK, technological resources were also provided to the client to help improve her English language and job skills.

The mission of ATASK is to provide hope to survivors and prevent domestic violence in Asian families and communities. ATASK is New England’s only provider of linguistically and culturally appropriate shelter and support services for Asian survivors of domestic violence.